Systems and methods marine propulsion systems  having marine environment enhancement capability

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for watercraft and marine propulsions systems having marine environment enhancement capabilities are disclosed.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to systems and methods forwatercraft that have a capability to enhance a marine environment, andmore specifically, to watercraft systems and methods having a capabilityto dispense substances that attempt to enhance the marine environment inwhich they are operate.

BACKGROUND

Human activities are generally intended to maintain or improve thequality of life for humans, often to the detriment of other forms oflife. Marine environments have historically borne the brunt of harmfulhuman activities due to an unfortunate out-of-sight, out-of-mindapproach to waste disposal, over-harvesting, and other harmfulactivities.

For example, it is known that fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticidescommonly used for agricultural production may have highly detrimentalimpacts on the ability of marine environments to sustain life.Similarly, residential development along shores may result inundesirable discharges into marine environments from landfills, septicsystems, and other ordinary residential activities (e.g. gasoline, oil,pesticides, fertilizers, detergents, human pathogens, medicinalcompounds, etc.). Runoff from farmland and urban population centers maycarry such substances, as well as other harmful chemical and particulatecontent, to adjoining marine environments. Such substances are evenknown to result in oxygen-depleted regions or “dead zones” withindownstream marine environments that are unable to sustain many speciesof marine life. Other human activities, such as shipping andtransportation activities, inevitably increase pollutant levels inmarine environments due to ordinary discharges (e.g. oil, diesel fuel,and engine exhaust), as well as accidental discharges and spills. Evenhuman recreational activities, such as boating, jet-skiing, boat racing,and cruise ships, may have deleterious effects on water quality, and thehealth of aquatic life within a marine environment.

Some contemporary societies have developed an improved appreciation forthe importance of responsible water management. For example, somegovernmental authorities have enacted laws intended to limit thedeleterious effects of human activities on water quality, while otherorganizations are taking action to protect, improve, and stewardspecific aquatic environments, such as the Tahoe Regional PlanningAgency, the SeaDoc Society, the Puget Sound Partnership, the FlatheadLakers, the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration, the Gulf of MexicoAlliance, and many other similar organizations.

Despite the commendable efforts of these organizations and authorities,human activities continue to threaten the health of marine environments.The ability of marine environments to recover from detrimental humanactivities continues to diminish, and as human populations increase,aquatic life faces an ever-increasing struggle for survival.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of methods and systems in accordance with the teachings ofthe present disclosure are described in detail below with reference tothe following drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a watercraft having a marine environmentenhancement system in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 2 is a partial side view of the watercraft of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the watercraft of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 4-6 are partial end views of various alternate embodiments ofpropeller assemblies of marine propulsion systems in accordance withembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 7-10 are side views of various alternate embodiments of marinepropulsion systems having marine environment enhancement capabilities inaccordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a watercraft having a marine environmentenhancement system in accordance with another embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart of a process for operating a watercraft inaccordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 13-17 are side views of various alternate embodiments ofwatercraft and marine propulsion systems having marine environmentenhancement capabilities in accordance with further embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram of a watercraft having a marine environmentenhancement system integrated with a marine propulsion system inaccordance with yet another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 19-21 are side views of various alternate embodiments ofwatercraft and marine propulsion systems having marine environmentenhancement capabilities integrated with marine propulsion systems inaccordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 22 is a schematic view of a system of dispensing marine environmentenhancing substances in accordance with a further embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 23 is a flow chart of a process for dispensing marine environmentenhancing substances in accordance with another embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Systems and methods for watercraft having marine environment enhancementcapabilities are described herein. Many specific details of certainembodiments are set forth in the following description and in FIGS. 1-23to provide a thorough understanding of such embodiments. One skilled inthe art will understand, however, that the invention may have additionalembodiments, or that alternate embodiments may be practiced withoutseveral of the details described in the following description.

Generally, embodiments of systems and methods in accordance with thepresent disclosure involve dispensing ecologically-appropriate,environment-enhancing substances into a marine environment duringoperation of a watercraft. The enhancement substances may beadvantageously configured to enhance the marine environment in whichsuch systems are operating. It is anticipated that, in at least someembodiments, the enhancement substances may be prescribed and regulatedby governing authorities having responsibility for the care andmanagement of water quality and aquatic species within a particularjurisdiction, region, or marine environment. Thus, embodiments ofsystems and methods in accordance with the present disclosure takeactive measures to attempt to improve the marine environment in whichwatercraft operate by dispensing ecologically-appropriate substancesduring watercraft operation.

Embodiments of systems and methods in accordance with the presentdisclosure may provide significant advantages. For example, bydispensing ecologically-appropriate substances using a watercraft duringoperation of the watercraft in the marine environment, such substancesmay be more effectively introduced into the marine environment incomparison with alternate methods. Specifically, theecologically-appropriate substances may be introduced at the locationwhere they are needed the most, i.e. where watercraft are actuallyoperating. In addition, since the need for a particularecologically-appropriate substance may depend on the amount of humanactivity in a particular marine environment (e.g. boating, jet-skiing,shipping, fishing, etc.), the application of ecologically-appropriatesubstances may automatically increase or decrease in accordance with theneed for such substances. Thus, much like medications applied to a humanbody to treat illness or infection, the dosage ofecologically-appropriate substance dispensed into the marine environmentmay be increased or decreased as needed, and may be applied at locationswhere the need is greatest.

Another advantage is that the ecologically-appropriate substances aredispensed by those who are actually using the marine environment. Thismay have a desirable consequence of promoting awareness of theimportance of responsible water management to those persons and entitieshaving the greatest impact on the marine environment, and may lead toresponsible actions by such persons in other ways. Since the burden(i.e. labor and expense) of dispensing the ecologically-appropriatesubstances is removed from the governing authorities responsible formanagement of the marine environment, such authorities may insteaddevote resources to other suitable activities, such as monitoring andtesting activities, and research and development activities intended toprovide improved ecologically-appropriate substances to further enhancewater quality and the promote desirable aquatic species.

Particular embodiments of systems and methods for watercraft havingmarine environment enhancement capabilities will now be described toprovide an improved understanding of various aspects of suchembodiments. It will be appreciated, however, that the followingdetailed description of particular embodiments is merely exemplary, andis not exhaustive, of all of the various possible embodiments that arecontemplated by the inventor as being within the scope of the teachingsand claims of the present disclosure.

For example, FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a watercraft 100 having amarine environment enhancement system 140 in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure. The watercraft 100 operates in anexemplary marine environment 110 that is home to a variety of species,including fish 112, shellfish 114, marine mammals 116, marine vegetation118, and numerous other aquatic species. As described more fully below,the marine environment enhancement system 140 is configured dispense oneor more ecologically-appropriate substances intended to enhance themarine environment 110.

The watercraft 100 includes a hull 102 (or structure) that supports amarine propulsion system 120. In this embodiment, the marine propulsionsystem 140 is of a type generally referred to as an outboard engine. Acontrol system 104 is coupled to the marine propulsion system 120 in aconventional manner to enable an operator (not shown) to controllablyoperate the watercraft 100.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are partial side and end views, respectively, of thewatercraft 100 of FIG. 1. The marine propulsion system 120 includes anengine 122 disposed within a housing 124, and a fuel supply 126 coupledto the engine 122 by a fuel line 128. A propeller assembly 130 is drivenby a drive assembly 132 that is operatively coupled to the engine 122.

In this embodiment, the marine environment enhancement system 140includes a supply vessel 142 that holds an enhancement substance 144. Apump 146 is coupled to a feed line 148 that extends from the supplyvessel 142 to a dispensing portion 150. In some embodiments, the pump146 may be an electric pump that may be driven, for example, by abattery 152 or other suitable source of electrical power. As best shownin FIG. 3, in this embodiment, the feed line 148 extends along an outersurface of the housing 124. The dispensing portion 150 is situatedbeneath a water surface 111 and, in this embodiment, proximate thepropeller assembly 130.

As best shown in FIG. 4, the dispensing portion 150 may be mounted to anexterior of the housing 124 of the marine propulsion system 120. Thedispensing portion 150 may be configured in a wide variety of suitableembodiments, including a simple aperture, a nozzle, a “shower head”having a plurality of apertures, or any other suitable dispensingarrangement. In an alternate embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, theenhancement system 140 may include an annular dispensing portion 151that is annularly disposed about a lower portion of the marinepropulsion system 120 to enhance distribution of the enhancementsubstance 144.

In another embodiment, a dispensing portion 153 and a feed line 149 ofthe enhancement system 140 may be disposed within the housing 124 of themarine propulsion system 120. In further embodiments, the enhancementsubstance 144 may be dispensed into an exhaust flow from the engine 122prior to entering the marine environment 110. In such embodiments, theenhancement substance 144 may advantageously have sufficient time to mixand react with the constituents of the exhaust flow prior to enteringthe marine environment 110. Such improved mixing and reaction maysubstantially enhance the ability of the enhancement substance 144 topromote the health and quality of the marine environment 110 and themarine life residing therein. Of course, a wide variety of otherdispensing embodiments may also be conceived.

In operation, the watercraft 100 is positioned within the marineenvironment 110. With the engine 122 running, the drive assembly 132 isengaged causing the propeller assembly 130 to rotate. The rotation ofthe propeller assembly 130 produces a drive stream 134 that propels thewatercraft 100 forward through the marine environment 110. As the marinepropulsion system 120 operates, however, the pump 146 of the marineenvironment enhancement system 140 transports the enhancement substance144 from the supply vessel 142 through the feed line 148 and out thedispensing portion 150. A plume 154 of the enhancement substance 144 isdispensed from the dispensing portion 150. Due to the positioning of thedispensing portion 150, the plume 154 may become co-mingled with thedrive stream 134 produced by the propeller assembly 130. In this way,the enhancement substance 144 may be dispensed within the marineenvironment 110 to ecologically enhance the marine environment 110

The enhancement substance 144 may include a wide variety of substances,mixtures, compounds, and molecules depending upon the particular needsof the marine environment 110 in which the watercraft 100 is operated.For example, the enhancement substance 144 may be as simple as food ornutrients intended to promote the health and growth of one or moredesirable species within the marine environment 110. Alternately, theenhancement substance 144 may be configured to deter or eradicate one ormore undesirable species within the marine environment 110. For example,it may be desirable to eliminate certain invasive (or non-native)species from a particular marine environment 110, including invasivevegetation (e.g. Spartina grass, watermilfoil, algae, purpleloosestrife), invasive shellfish and mollusks (e.g. zebra mussels,quagga mussel, rusty crayfish), invasive fishes and animals (e.g.invasive tunicates, sea lamprey, goby, ruffle), or any other suitabletypes of invasive species (e.g. crustaceans, etc.).

It may be desirable to deter or inhibit even certain native species fromparticular marine environments. For example, it may be desirable todeter the presence of certain species from certain areas, such asdeterring predatory fish (e.g. sharks) or predatory marine mammals (e.g.sea lions) from preying on fish at spawning locations or at certaincongregation points (e.g. locks, fish ladders) along a migratory path,or deterring certain shellfish predators (e.g. snails, starfish) fromareas where shellfish are desired to flourish. Of course, enhancementsubstances may also be dispensed to control the growth of noxious nativevegetations (e.g. milfoil, algae) or other undesirable species.

The enhancement substance 144 may also be configured to correct othertypes of deficiencies or undesirable attributes of the marineenvironment 110. For example, in some environments, lack of a particularsubstance, compound, or molecule (e.g. oxygen) poses a serious threat tomarine species within the environment. The enhancement substance 144 maybe configured to provide (or enhance the presence of) that particularsubstance, compound, or molecule to correct the deficiency. In otherenvironments, an overabundance of a substance, compound, or molecule mayinhibit the health of a marine environment, in which case theenhancement substance 144 may be configured to reduce (or inhibit thepresence of) that substance, compound, or molecule. Enhancementsubstances may be configured, for example, to correct harmful industrialpollutants (e.g. heavy metals, oil sludge, toxins, carcinogens, PCBs,etc.) that may have been deposited within a marine environment,including such harmful substances deposited prior to contemporaryenvironmental regulations preventing such activities.

It will be appreciated that a variety of alternate embodiments of marineenhancement systems and methods may be conceived, and that the presentdisclosure is not limited to the particular embodiments described abovewith reference to FIGS. 1-6. For example, FIGS. 7-10 are side views ofmarine propulsion systems having marine environment enhancementcapabilities in accordance with various alternate embodiments of thepresent disclosure. For the sake of brevity, only some of the moresignificant differences in the structural or operational aspects ofthese alternate embodiments will be described in detail.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the pump 146 of the enhancementsystem 140 is disposed within the housing 124 of the marine propulsionsystem 120. Similarly, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the pump 146of the enhancement system 140 is disposed within a lower portion of thehousing 124 proximate the propeller assembly 130. In these embodiments,the pump 146 may be electrically or mechanically driven by the engine122 or the drive train 132 (FIG. 2), or even by the battery 152 (FIG. 2)as described above, to transport the enhancement substance 144 throughthe feed lines 148, 149 to the dispensing portion 153 to produce theenhancement plume 154.

Depending upon the type of substances being dispensed by the enhancementsystem, the enhancement system may have a variety of differentembodiments from those described above. For example, FIG. 9 is a partialside view of a watercraft 200 having a marine environment enhancementsystem 210 configured for dispensing pressurized substances inaccordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. In thisembodiment, the enhancement system 210 includes a vessel 212 configuredto contain a pressurized enhancement substance 214. A valve 216 isconfigured to controllably dispense the substance 214 through the feedline 148 to the dispensing portion 150. For example, in someembodiments, the vessel 212 may be a gas bottle and the enhancingsubstance may be a pressurized gas, such as ozone, monatomic or diatomicoxygen, air, an oxygen-containing compound, or any other desired gaseoussubstance.

As the marine propulsion system 120 is operated, the enhancement system210 may dispense the pressurized enhancement substance 214 by openingthe valve 216. In some embodiments, the control of the valve 216 may belinked to the control of the marine propulsion system 120, such as byslaving valve control to throttle position, engine RPM, engine vacuum,or any other suitable parameter. Alternately, the control of the valve216 may be purely manual, or may depend on other factors or variables.

In another embodiment, the enhancement system may be configured togenerate the enhancement substance during operation (or “on the fly”).For example, FIG. 10 is a partial side view of a watercraft 220 having amarine environment enhancement system 230 configured to generate anddispense enhancement substances in accordance with another embodiment ofthe present disclosure. In this embodiment, the enhancement system 230includes a gas generator 232 configured to generate a gaseousenhancement substance. The feed line 148 is coupled to the gas generator232, and conveys the gaseous substance generated by the gas generator232 to the dispensing portion 150. The gas generator 232 may be poweredby the battery 152, or may be electrically or mechanically powered bythe engine 122 of the marine propulsion system 120, or may be powered ordriven in any other suitable manner.

In particular embodiments, the gas generator 232 may be an ozonegenerator. Ozone is generally known for its electro-chemical reactivitycharacteristics, and may be used in some circumstances to enhance waterquality, and thus the overall ecological health of a marine environment.For example, in some embodiments, the gas generator 232 may be anelectro-analysis ozone generator, including, for example, a chemicalelectrolysis-based ozone generator, or a polymer electrolysis (ormembrane-based) ozone generator. Alternately, the ozone generator may bean air discharge or ultraviolet light (UV) radiation-based generator.

In still other embodiments, any other type of gas generation device thatgenerates any desired gaseous substance (including substances other thanozone) may be used. For example, in some embodiments, it may bedesirable to generate and dispense monatomic or diatomic oxygen, air, anoxygen-containing compound, or any other desired gaseous substance. Suchgas generation devices may operate on principles similar to those listedabove with respect to ozone generation processes, includingelectro-analysis processes, chemical electrolysis-based processes,polymer electrolysis (or membrane-based) processes, air dischargeprocesses, or UV radiation-based processes. In addition, the gaseousenhancement substances may include electrically-charged substances (e.g.ions, electrons, etc.) or electrically-neutral substances.

While not intending to be bound by theory, it is believed that thoseembodiments in accordance with the present disclosure having thedispensing potion 150 proximate the propeller assembly 130 may allowmore of the enhancement substance 214 (particularly gaseous enhancementsubstances) to be assimilated into the marine environment 110 incomparison with alternate methods wherein the enhancement substance maymerely bubble to the surface 111 and escape, or sink to the bottom,without being as effectively distributed into the marine environment110. More specifically, it is believed that the enhancement plume maybecome more readily mixed and assimilated into the marine environment110 due at least in part to the rotation of the propeller assembly 130,or through interaction with the propulsive stream (e.g. drive stream134) from the marine propulsion system. In this way, embodiments ofenhancement systems in accordance with the present disclosure mayprovide improved mixing and improved solubility of the enhancementsubstance 214 into the marine environment 110 that would otherwise notoccur. Thus, substances that may be vitally important to the health ofthe marine environment 110, including gaseous substances such as oxygenand oxygen-enhancing substances, may be readily assimilated into themarine environment 110.

FIG. 11 is a block diagrammatic view of a watercraft 250 having a marineenvironment enhancement system 270 in accordance with another embodimentof the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the watercraft 250includes a structure 252 that may be floatable, submersible, or both. Apropulsion system 254 is operatively coupled to the structure 252 topropel the watercraft 250 through a marine environment 256. Duringoperation of the watercraft 250, the watercraft 250 generates a wake258. The wake 258 may include a propulsive portion (e.g. drive stream134 of FIG. 1) generated by the propulsion system 254, and anon-propulsive portion generated by other portions of the watercraft250, such as the structure 252. Unless otherwise specified, the term“wake” as used herein may generally include any portion of the marineenvironment 256 disturbed by the operation of the watercraft 250,including phenomena occurring at the surface of the marine environment256 and below the surface of the marine environment 256.

The watercraft 250 further includes an enhancement system 260. Duringoperation, the enhancement system 260 dispenses an enhancement plume 262into the marine environment 256. At least a portion of the enhancementplume 262 mingles with the wake 258. More specifically, in someembodiments, at least a portion of the enhancement plume 262 mingleswith the propulsive portion of the wake 258 (e.g. drive stream 134 ofFIG. 1). The enhancement plume 262 may include a substance (e.g.mixture, compound, molecule, etc.) in any suitable phase (e.g. liquid,gas, solid, or multi-phase combinations thereof) or that is configuredto enhance some aspect of the marine environment 256. The enhancementsubstance may also include charged substances, particles, or molecules.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart of a process 300 for operating a watercraft inaccordance with another implementation of the present disclosure. Theprocess 300 is illustrated as a collection of blocks in a logical flowgraph, which represents a sequence of operations that can be implementedmanually, semi-manually, automatically, or any combination thereof usinghardware, software, firmware, or other suitable components.

In this embodiment, the process 300 includes providing a watercrafthaving a marine environment enhancement system at 302. A propulsionsystem of the watercraft is operated at 304 to propel the watercraftthrough a marine environment, thereby generating a wake. At 306, amarine environment enhancement system is operated to dispense anenhancement substance into the marine environment. The dispensing of theenhancement substance at 306 may generally occur simultaneously with theoperation of the watercraft propulsion system at 304. As describedabove, the enhancement substance may be any suitable substance (e.g.mixture, compound, molecule, etc.) in any suitable phase (e.g. liquid,gas, solid, or combinations thereof) that is configured to enhance someaspect of the marine environment. In particular embodiments, theenhancement substance may be configured to supplement a component of themarine environment that may be lacking (e.g. oxygen, food, nutrients,etc.), correct pollution or contaminants, control or deter the presenceof undesirable marine species, or other suitable enhancement purposes.

At 308, the dispensed enhancement substance (e.g. enhancement plume) maybe co-mingled with the wake of the watercraft propulsion system therebyproviding improved mixing and assimilation of the enhancement substanceinto the marine environment. In some embodiments, the enhancementsubstance co-mingles with a portion of the wake generated by thepropulsion system of the watercraft, such as a propulsive stream ordrive stream. In particular embodiments, the enhancement substance isdispensed below a surface of the marine environment and co-mingles witha portion of the wake existing below the surface of the marineenvironment.

The process 300 shown in FIG. 12 is one of many possible implementationsof processes in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure.For example, in alternate implementations, certain acts need not beperformed in the order described, and may be modified, and/or may beomitted entirely, depending on the circumstances. Moreover, in variousimplementations, the acts described may be implemented manually,semi-manually, automatically, or any suitable combination thereof.

The previously-described embodiments have been described with respect toa marine propulsion system having an outboard engine. Systems andmethods in accordance with the present disclosure may also beimplemented with watercraft having other types of propulsion systems.For example, FIG. 13 is a side view of a watercraft 400 having a marinepropulsion system 420 and a marine environment enhancement system 440 inaccordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. In thisembodiment, the marine propulsion system 420 includes an engine 422 anda drive assembly 424 that projects downwardly and rearwardly from a hull402 of the watercraft 400. A propeller assembly 430 is coupled to an aftend of the drive assembly 424. The marine propulsion system 420 of FIG.13 is of a type commonly referred to as an “inboard” or “inboard engine”type system.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 13, the marine environment enhancementsystem 440 includes a supply vessel 442 and a pump 446 that drives anenhancement substance 444 through a feed line 448 from the supply vessel442 to a dispensing portion 445. The dispensing portion 445 may bepositioned slightly upstream from the propeller assembly 430, or asdescribed elsewhere in this disclosure, may be positioned at any othersuitable position.

In operation, the engine 422 causes the drive assembly 424 to rotate thepropeller assembly 430, producing a drive stream 432 that propels thewatercraft 400 forward through the marine environment 110. As the marinepropulsion system 420 operates, the pump 446 transports the enhancementsubstance 444 from the supply vessel 442 through the feed line 448 andout the dispensing portion 445. A plume 447 of the enhancement substance444 is dispensed from the dispensing portion 445 and co-mingles with thedrive stream 432 produced by the propeller assembly 430.

It will be appreciated that alternate implementations of marineenvironmental enhancement systems may be combined with the marinepropulsion system 420 to provide further embodiments of systems andmethods in accordance with the present disclosure. For example, in FIG.14, a watercraft 450 includes an enhancement system 460 that includes apressurizable vessel 462 and a valve 466 configured to controllablydispense an enhancement substance 464 through a feed line 468 to adispensing portion 465. In this implementation, the dispensing portion465 is located appreciably upstream from the propeller assembly 430.

During operation, as the marine propulsion system 420 is operated togenerate the drive stream 432, the marine environment enhancement system460 dispenses the enhancement substance 464 by opening the valve 466.Due to the location of the dispensing portion 465, an enhancement plumefirst portion 467 forms downstream of the dispensing portion 465 andupstream of the drive stream 432. Once the enhancement plume firstportion 467 reaches the drive stream 432, it co-mingles with the drivestream 432 to form an enhancement plume second portion 469.

In yet another implementation, FIG. 15 shows a watercraft 470 having amarine environment enhancement system 480 configured to generate anenhancement substance 484 during operation of the enhancement system 480(i.e. “on the fly”). In this embodiment, the enhancement system 480includes a gas generator 482 configured to generate a gaseousenhancement substance 484. The gas generator 482 may be powered by abattery 472, or may be electrically or mechanically powered by theengine 422 of the marine propulsion system 420. A pump 486 transportsthe enhancement substance 484 via a feed line 488 to a dispenser 485. Inthe embodiment shown in FIG. 15, the dispenser 485 is mounted (e.g.flush mounted or otherwise) to a lower surface 476 of a hull (orstructure) 474 of the watercraft 470. As the enhancement substance 484is dispensed into the marine environment 110 by the enhancement system480, and as the marine propulsion system 420 is operating, theenhancement substance 484 may become co-mingled with the drive stream432 generated by the propeller assembly 430 to form an enhancement plume487.

Although systems and methods for watercraft and marine propulsionsystems having marine environment enhancement capabilities have beendescribed with reference to a particular type of watercraft, it will beappreciated that in alternate implementations, a wide variety ofwatercraft types may be suitably equipped with marine environmentenhancement systems. Representative examples of other types ofwatercraft that may be employed in various alternate implementations inaccordance with the present disclosure include ships and otherlarge-scale surface vessels such as auto and passenger ferries, militaryvessels, container ships, oil tankers, barges, tugs, ocean liners, andany other suitable commercial or large-scale surface vessels, and alsoother forms of small-scale surface vessels such as personal watercraft,jetskis, pontoons, recreational boats, inflatable boats. Furthermore,alternate implementations in accordance with the present disclosure mayinclude submersible watercraft such as submarines, remotely-operatedvehicles (ROVs), and other manned and unmanned submersible vehicles. Itwill also be appreciated that other implementations of systems andmethods may be conceived using still other embodiments of marinepropulsion systems.

For example, FIG. 16 is a side view of a watercraft 500 having a marinepropulsion system 510 and a marine environment enhancement system 530 inaccordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. In thisimplementation, the watercraft 500 is of a type generally known as apersonal watercraft (or wave runner). The marine propulsion system 510includes an engine 512 and a drive assembly 514 coupled between theengine 512 and a propeller assembly 520. An intake 522 is formed withina lower surface 504 of a hull (or structure) 502 of the watercraft 500.During operation of the marine propulsion system 510, water passesthrough the intake 522 to a drive chamber 524, and is propelled by thepropeller assembly 520 through an exit aperture (or nozzle) 526 to forma drive stream 528 that propels the watercraft 500. The marinepropulsion system 510 is of a type commonly referred to as a “jet drive”type system.

The marine environment enhancement system 530 includes a supply vessel532 and a pump 536 that drives an enhancement substance 534 through afeed line 538 to a dispensing portion 535. In the implementation shownin FIG. 16, the dispensing portion 535 is located within a wall of thedrive chamber 524 slightly downstream from the propeller assembly 520.As the marine propulsion system 530 operates, the pump 536 transportsthe enhancement substance 534 from the supply vessel 532 through thefeed line 538 and out the dispensing portion 535 into the drive chamber524. The enhancement substance 534 co-mingles with the water driven bythe propeller assembly 520 and exits from the exit aperture 526 to forman enhancement plume 537 that may be assimilated into the marineenvironment 110.

In some embodiments, the marine environment enhancement system may bepartially or wholly integrated into the marine propulsion system. Forexample, FIG. 18 shows a block diagram of a watercraft 600 having amarine environment enhancement system (MEES) 606 integrated with amarine propulsion system 604 in accordance with yet another embodimentof the present disclosure. In operation, the propulsion system 604generates a wake 608 that propels the watercraft 600 through the marineenvironment 110, and the marine environment enhancement system 606provides an enhancement substance plume 610 into the marine environment110. The enhancement substance plume 610 and the wake 608 may co-mingleto better assimilate the enhancement substance into the marineenvironment 110. In some embodiments, the enhancement substanceco-mingles with a portion of the wake generated by the propulsion systemof the watercraft, such as a propulsive stream or drive stream. Inparticular embodiments, the enhancement substance is dispensed below asurface of the marine environment and co-mingles with a portion of thewake existing below the surface of the marine environment.

Several exemplary implementations of watercraft and marine propulsionsystems having an integrated enhancement system are shown in FIGS.19-21. For example, in the implementation shown in FIG. 19, a marinepropulsion system 620 in the configuration of an outboard engine iscoupled to a structure 102 (see FIG. 1) of a watercraft 620. Thepropulsion system 620 includes an engine 622 disposed within a housing628 and operatively coupled to a propeller assembly 624 by a driveassembly 626. The marine propulsion system 620 includes a marineenvironment enhancement system 630 having an enhancement substancegenerator 632. A feed line 634 is coupled between the enhancementsubstance generator 632 and a dispenser 636 located below a surface 111of the marine environment 110. In some embodiments, the enhancementsubstance generator 632 may be configured to generate a gaseoussubstance or compound such as, for example, ozone, monatomic or diatomicoxygen, or any other desired gaseous substance. In further embodiments,the generator 632 may be configured to emit charged particles ormolecules.

During operation of the marine propulsion system 620, the engine 622drives the propeller assembly 624 to generate a propulsion wake 625 topropel the watercraft 610 through the marine environment 110. Theenhancement substance generator 632 simultaneously generates theenhancement substance, which is then dispensed into the marineenvironment 110 (e.g. via the feed line 634 and dispenser 636) to forman enhancement plume 638.

It will be appreciated that in some embodiments, the feed line 634 andthe dispenser 636 may be eliminated, and the enhancement substancegenerator 632 may be configured to provide the enhancement substanceinto an exhaust stream from the engine 622. Since the marine propulsionsystem 620 may already be configured to direct the engine exhaust streaminto the marine environment 110, the enhancement substance generated bythe generator 632 may be carried or delivered into the marineenvironment 110 without the need for additional components or furthersignificant modification of the marine propulsion system 620. Such animplementation may be particularly advantageous for those environmentalenhancement systems that are intended or configured to mitigate someharmful or undesirable attribute of the exhaust stream being emittedinto the marine environment 110 by the engine 622.

FIG. 20 is a side view of a watercraft 640 having a marine propulsionsystem 650 in accordance with yet another embodiment of the presentdisclosure, In this embodiment, the marine propulsion system 650includes an engine 652 operatively coupled to a propeller assembly 656by a drive assembly 654. A marine environment enhancement system 660includes a vessel 662 that stores a first enhancement substance, and ageneration unit 664 that generates a second enhancement substance. Thegeneration unit 664 is integrally-formed with the marine propulsionsystem 650 (e.g. coupled with the engine 652). Thus, in this embodiment,the marine environment enhancement system 660 is partially integrallyformed with the marine propulsion system 650.

A flow control device 666 (e.g. a valve) controls a flow of the firstenhancement substance from the vessel 662 through a feed line 668 to adispenser 665. upstream from the propeller assembly 430. The secondenhancement substance may flow from the generation unit 664 through thefeed line 668 to the dispenser 665. In this implementation, thedispenser 665 is positioned appreciably upstream from the propellerassembly 656.

During operation, the marine propulsion system 650 spins the propellerassembly 656 and thus generates a drive stream 658. Simultaneously, theenvironment enhancement system 660 operates to provide the first andsecond enhancement substances to the feed line 668, and ultimately tothe dispenser 665. Due to the location of the dispenser 665, the mixtureof first and second enhancement substances forms a first plume portion667 between the dispensing portion 665 and the propeller assembly 656(or drive stream 658). Once the first plume portion 667 reaches thedrive stream 658, it co-mingles with the drive stream 658 to form asecond plume portion 669.

Similarly, FIG. 21 is a side view of a watercraft 700 having a marineenvironment enhancement system 730 at least partially integrated with amarine propulsion system 710. More specifically, in this implementation,the marine propulsion system 710 includes an engine 712, and the marineenvironment enhancement system 730 includes an enhancement substancegenerator 732 integrated with (or coupled to) the engine 712. A driveassembly 714 is coupled between the engine 712 and a propeller assembly720. The marine environment enhancement system 730 further includes apump 736 that provides an enhancement substance 734 from the substancegenerator 732 through a feed line 738 to a dispensing portion 735. Insome implementations, at least part of the feed line 738 is integrallyformed with the drive assembly 714 (e.g. a drive shaft).

During operation of the marine propulsion system 710, water enters anintake 522 formed within a lower surface 704 of a hull 702 of thewatercraft 700. The engine 712 drives the propeller assembly 720 via thedrive assembly 714, spinning the propeller assembly 720 within themixing chamber 524 and driving water through an exit aperture 526 toform a drive wake 528 that propels the watercraft 700. The generator 732generates the enhancement substance 734 which traverses the feed line738 and out the dispensing portion 735 into the drive chamber 524. Morespecifically, in an exemplary implementation, the enhancement substance734 passes through a hollow drive shaft of the drive assembly 714 to thedispenser 735. The enhancement substance 734 co-mingles with the waterdriven by the propeller assembly 720 and exits from the exit aperture526 to form an enhancement plume 737 that is assimilated into the marineenvironment 110.

FIG. 22 is a schematic view of a system 800 for dispensing marineenvironment enhancing substances, and FIG. 23 is a process 850 fordispensing marine environment enhancing substances, in accordance withfurther embodiments of the present disclosure. The system 800 includes asupply vehicle 802 that transports an enhancement substance to a supplytank 804 situated proximate to a boat launch 806 that provides access toa marine environment 808. A watercraft 810 having a marine environmentenhancement system operates within the marine environment 808.

As shown in FIG. 23, at 852, an organization, governmental authority, orother suitable entity responsible for managing the marine environment808 or portions thereof (such as a department responsible for managingfish and wildlife, or a department responsible for managing waterquality) may analyze the marine environment and determine a desiredcomposition of the enhancement substance. As noted above, theenhancement substance may be any suitable mixture, substance, compound,or material that is configured to enhance some aspect of the marineenvironment 808.

For example, in some embodiments, the enhancement substance may beconfigured to mitigate pollutants that may arrive into the marineenvironment 808 from surface water runoff 814, from ground water 816leaching contaminants from land-based materials 818 (e.g. dumps, buriedwastes, septic tanks, etc.), or from other possible sources, such as anoutput of a marine propulsion system of the watercraft 810, or adetrimental material 820 previously deposited within the marineenvironment 808. Therefore, the desired composition of the enhancementsubstance may represent a careful balancing of requirements.

The enhancement substance may be produced at 854. In some embodiments,the enhancement substance may be produced in large quantities at alocation that is distally located from the marine environment 808.Alternately, the enhancement substance may be produced near the marineenvironment 808, or as described above, may even be produced “on thefly” during operation of the watercraft 810.

At 856, assuming the enhancement substance has been produced at a distallocation, the enhancement substance may be transported to a suitabledistribution point. For example, as shown in FIG. 23, the enhancementsubstance may be transported by a tanker truck 802 to a distributionpoint located proximate a boat launch 806. Alternately, the distributionpoint may be any other suitable location (e.g. park entrance, gasolinestation, marine supply center, shipping pier, ferry terminal, navalbase, refueling center, etc.). The enhancement substance is stored (e.g.within the supply tank 804) at the distribution point at 858.

The enhancement substance may be distributed to the watercraft 810 at860. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 22, the watercraft 810may take on the enhancement substance from the supply tank 804 at theboat launch 806. At 862, the watercraft 810 may then be operated withinthe marine environment 808 while simultaneously dispensing theenhancement substance as an enhancement plume 812 into the marineenvironment 808.

As further shown in FIG. 23, during or after the enhancement substancesare dispensed into the marine environment (at 862), one or morecharacteristics of the marine environment may be monitored (or tested)to assess the effects of the enhancement substance on the marineenvironment at 864. For example, the organization, governmentalauthority, or other suitable entity responsible for managing the marineenvironment 808 (or portions thereof) may periodically (or continuously)collect samples, perform measurements, tests, or surveys, or conduct anyother suitable activities intended to evaluate the impact oreffectiveness of the enhancement substance on the marine environment.

Based on the results of the monitoring (at 864), a determination is madeat 866 whether the enhancement substance is satisfactorily effective. Ifso, then the process 850 may return to 854, and may continue producingthe enhancement substance without adjusting the composition, and mayrepeat the activities 854 through 866 without adjusting the compositionof the enhancement substance. Alternately, if it is determined that theenhancement substance has not been satisfactorily effective (at 866),then the process 850 may return to 852 so that the organization,governmental authority, or other suitable entity responsible formanaging the marine environment 808 (or portions thereof) may re-analyzethe marine environment and re-determine the composition of theenhancement substance. The process 850 may then repeat the activities854 through 866 with the enhancement substance having an adjustedcomposition.

Embodiments of systems and methods for watercraft and marine propulsionsystems in accordance with the present disclosure may advantageouslydispense ecologically-appropriate substances into a marine environmentduring operation. Such enhancement substances may be configured toenhance the marine environment in a variety of ways, such as providingfood, nutrients, oxygen, or other healthful substances, to mitigatewastes, pollutants, human pathogens, chemical or PH balances within themarine environment, or to perform any other suitable enhancements. Thus,rather than merely attempting to reduce negative ecological impacts,embodiments of watercraft and marine propulsion systems in accordancewith the present disclosure are advantageously configured with acapability to attempt to improve some aspect of the marine environmentin which they operate.

While various embodiments have been described, those skilled in the artwill recognize modifications or variations which might be made withoutdeparting from the present disclosure. The examples illustrate thevarious embodiments and are not intended to limit the presentdisclosure. Therefore, the description and claims should be interpretedliberally with only such limitation as is necessary in view of thepertinent prior art.

1-92. (canceled)
 93. A propulsion system for a watercraft having a structure, comprising: an engine configured to be coupled to the structure of the watercraft; a drive assembly operatively coupled to the engine and configured to provide a propulsive wake within a marine environment to propel the watercraft through the marine environment; and an enhancement system configured to dispense an enhancement substance into the marine environment such that the enhancement substance at least partially mingles with the propulsive wake generated in the marine environment during operation of the drive assembly.
 94. The propulsion system of claim 93, wherein the enhancement system is further configured to dispense the enhancement substance into the marine environment at a location disposed below a surface of the marine environment.
 95. The propulsion system of claim 93, wherein the enhancement system includes a supply vessel configured to contain the enhancement substance, and a pump coupled to the supply vessel and configured to provide the enhancement substance from the supply vessel into the marine environment.
 96. The propulsion system of claim 93, wherein the enhancement system includes a supply vessel configured to contain a pressurized quantity of the enhancement substance, and a valve operatively coupled to controllably release the enhancement substance from the supply vessel into the marine environment.
 97. The propulsion system of claim 93, wherein the enhancement system is configured to dispense at least one of air, ozone, monatomic oxygen, diatomic oxygen, an oxygen-containing substance, and an oxygen enhancing substance.
 98. The propulsion system of claim 93, wherein the enhancement system includes a substance generator configured to generate the enhancement substance during operation of the watercraft.
 99. The propulsion system of claim 98, wherein the substance generator is configured to generate ozone.
 100. The propulsion system of claim 99, wherein the substance generator includes at least one of an electro-analysis ozone generator, a chemical electrolysis-based ozone generator, a polymer electrolysis ozone generator, a membrane-based ozone generator, an air discharge ozone generator, and an ultraviolet light radiation-based ozone generator.
 101. The propulsion system of claim 93, wherein the enhancement system is configured to dispense an ecologically-enhancing substance configured to promote one or more marine species.
 102. The propulsion system of claim 93, wherein the enhancement system is configured to dispense an ecologically-enhancing substance configured to deter one or more marine species.
 103. The propulsion system of claim 93, wherein the enhancement system is configured to dispense an ecologically-enhancing substance configured to mitigate one or more pollutants.
 104. The propulsion system of claim 93, wherein the engine includes at least one of an outboard engine, an inboard engine, and a jet drive propulsion system.
 105. The propulsion system of claim 93, wherein the drive assembly includes a propeller assembly driven by the engine.
 106. The propulsion system of claim 105, wherein the enhancement system is further configured to dispense the enhancement substance proximate the propeller assembly.
 107. The propulsion system of claim 105, wherein the enhancement system is further configured to dispense the enhancement substance upstream of the propeller assembly.
 108. The propulsion system of claim 105, wherein the enhancement system is further configured to dispense the enhancement substance downstream of the propeller assembly.
 109. The propulsion system of claim 105, wherein the structure includes a hull, and wherein the propeller assembly is disposed external to the hull.
 110. The propulsion system of claim 105, wherein the structure includes a hull, and wherein the propeller assembly is disposed within a chamber disposed within the hull. 111-131. (canceled) 